Guidelines for Food Premises – What To Do During A Boil Water Advisory

A Boil Water Advisory is issued when authorities suspect or have confirmed the presence of harmful microorganisms in the drinking water supply (e.g. E. coli) that can make you and your customer sick if you use it directly from the tap.

Any food handlers who are suffering from vomiting, cramps, nausea or diarrhea must be excluded from work and not return to work until symptoms have completely cleared.

During a Boil Water Advisory:

  • Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
  • Store boiled water in clean and disinfected covered containers.

OR

  • Use a supply of commercially bottled water.

Use boiled water or bottled water for:

  • Drinking
  • Cooking
  • Washing and rinsing fruits and vegetables
  • Food preparation (e.g. juices, gelatin desserts)
  • Ice and ice cubes

Do not use:

  • Food or beverage machines that are connected to tap water, such as:
    • Ice machines
    • Soft drink machines
    • Coffee machines

You can use:

  • Bottled and canned beverages and drinks
  • Commercial dishwashers that disinfect with a hot water rinse at 82°C (180°F)
  • Commercial dishwashers that use a chemical sanitizer

Washing and cleaning

  • Wash dishes, cutting boards and surfaces for food preparation with soap and water, then
  • Disinfect with a strong bleach solution.

Handwashing

  • Ensure that all food handlers wash their hands with bottled water or boiled water.
  • If using non-boiled tap water:
    • Wash hands with liquid soap.
    • Dry hands thoroughly.
    • Rinse and sanitize hands using one of two solutions:
      • Alcohol-based hand disinfectant containing more than 70% alcohol
      • Mild bleach solution (do not rinse hands directly in bleach solution to avoid contaminating the solution)

You will be advised when the Boil Water Advisory is lifted. You will need to:

  • Disinfect the lines to the ice machine before re-using.
  • Disinfect the lines to the soft drink machines before re-using.

Mild Bleach Solution (use after washing hands with non-boiled tap water)

  • Place 1 tsp of liquid household bleach in 4.5 L of water.
  • Mix and let stand for at least 15 minutes before using.
  • The mixture can be transferred to smaller clean containers for use.
  • Label the containers as follows: “MILD BLEACH SOLUTION – DO NOT DRINK.”

Strong Bleach Solution (use to disinfect dishes, cutting boards and surfaces for food preparation)

  • Place 1 tsp of liquid household bleach in 3 cups of water.
  • Mix and let stand for at least 15 minutes before using.
  • The mixture can be transferred to smaller clean containers for use.
  • Label the containers as follows: “STRONG BLEACH SOLUTION – DO NOT DRINK.”

DO NOT DRINK BLEACH SOLUTION.

DO NOT STORE BLEACH SOLUTION IN EMPTY WATER BOTTLES.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.